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From History of Kentucky by Kerr, 1922

Fayette County was named for Gen. Gilbert Mortier de La Fayette, of France. At Metz he resolved to aid the struggling patriots of America. He crossed the Atlantic and joined the Revolutionary forces. He aided much in securing American independence. .

History from Collins' History of Kentucky, 1877

Fayette county was formed in 1780 by the State of Virginia and is one of the three original counties that at one time comprised the whole district of Kentucky - and included all the territory beginning at the mouth of the Kentucky river, and extending up its middle fork to the head, and embracing the northern and eastern portion of the present State. It received its name as a testimonial of gratitude to Gen. Gilbert Mortier de La Fayette - the gallant and generous Frenchman who volunteered as the Champion of Liberty on this side of the Atlantic, and proved to the world, that although a nobleman by descent, he was a republican in principle, and was more ennobled by nature than by all the titles of hereditary rank.

Fayette county is situated in the middle portion of the State, and lies on the waters of the Kentucky and Elkhorn. It is bounded on the north by Scott, east by Bourbon and Clark, south by Madison and Jessamine, and west by Woodford; being twenty-five miles from north to south, mean breadth eleven miles, and containing 275 square miles. It is fair table land - all the streams rise and flow from the centre of the county, and empty into their common receptacle, the Kentucky river. The centre of the garden of Kentucky, the surface of this county is very gently undulating, and the soil is probably as rich and productive as any upon which the sun ever shone. It is properly a stock raising county - horses, mules, cattle, and hogs, in large numbers, being annually exported; but corn and hemp are produced in great abundance - the latter being generally manufactured in the county.